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Table of Contents
- NAAA Files Court Brief with Supreme Court Defending Federal Pesticide Law and Bayer in Roundup Herbicide Case
- Hall of Fame Honors Fran de Kock’s Lifetime of Leadership and Safety
- Yes, It’s Us Trying to Reach You – Please Respond!
- Check Out FAA’s FAASTeam Webinar on Drone Registration Held Last Week on Registration Requirements for Drones Used Under Section 44807 Exemptions and Part 137 Operations
- Save the Date: 2026 Ag Aviation Expo Set for Nov. 16–18 in Savannah, GA
- FAA GA Survey Underway – Please Participate if You Receive Invitation
NAAA Files Court Brief with Supreme Court Defending Federal Pesticide Law and Bayer in Roundup Herbicide Case
The Supreme Court will hear arguments from Bayer next month, arguing that state Roundup herbicide lawsuits decided against the company for not carrying a warning that it may cause cancer are unlawful under federal law, where the EPA has concluded the product doesn’t pose a risk when used according to its label. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is an important tool to combat yield-strangling weeds and is widely deemed safe by experts. To support rigorous federal pesticide law, Bayer and the potential implications of this case if it is not reversed and allows juries to rule against EPA pesticide registration decisions, NAAA has joined the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) in filing an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court” brief, that provides legal and detrimental production implications and impacts that would hit agricultural applicators nationwide should the current decision stand.
The NAAA/ARA amicus (click here to see the full amicus) states that should the current Roundup decision stand:
“Each state would be free to require any number of additional or conflicting warnings on a pesticide’s label. And lay juries would ultimately have veto power over EPA regarding what warnings are required. For agricultural retailers and commercial pesticide applicators, these non-uniform warning theories have immediate economic consequences: they increase insurance premiums, limit the availability of affordable liability coverage, and raise the cost of providing lawful distribution and application services across state lines, even when products remain fully registered and approved by EPA.
These businesses operate across many states and depend on uniform, federally approved labels. Retailers must manage inventory, training, and point-of-sale communications under federal labeling constraints. Commercial applicators—ground and aerial—must schedule time-sensitive applications, maintain license compliance, and secure insurance coverage based on uniform label requirements. Non-uniform warning mandates—whether issued by state regulators or produced through tort verdicts—would fragment inventories, complicate training, and increase the risk of inadvertent noncompliance.
Retailers and applicators also depend on the availability of glyphosate and other safe and effective pesticides, which the decision below casts into doubt. If state law says that glyphosate products must carry carcinogen warnings and federal law says that they must not, it will become impossible to sell those products. The only option will be to discontinue them. That will harm the businesses that depend on a tool that EPA has found safe and effective for decades and across administrations. If will also harm the public, which benefits from the food security glyphosate products provide, among other benefits.
Congress wisely determined that the pesticide labeling requirements should be set uniformly, according to the extensive factfinding processes of the FIFRA, rather than piecemeal in the deliberation rooms of thousands of state courts. This Court should respect Congress’s expressed will and hold that Plaintiff’s claims are preempted.”
A ruling for the plaintiffs could expose pesticide manufacturers—that invest two decades and hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure the safety of their products before they go to market and are approved by EPA—additional billions in further liability.
Hall of Fame Honors Fran de Kock’s Lifetime of Leadership and Safety
The National Agricultural Aviation Historical Committee (formerly NAAHOF) has selected Fran de Kock for induction into the National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame, recognizing more than 50 years of leadership, innovation, and dedication to agricultural aviation safety and pilot training.
de Kock began flying in 1975 in Alberta and Saskatchewan before founding Battlefords Airspray with his wife, Patricia, in 1980. What started as a small operation with two trainers and two spray aircraft grew into a highly respected business with a diverse fleet, including Air Tractor 504s and 502s, Gippsland GA200s, and other purpose-built ag aircraft. The company was sold in 2021, but its training legacy continues.
A pioneer in progressive ag pilot instruction, de Kock developed structured transition programs that moved pilots from tailwheel aircraft to turbine-powered ag airplanes. He introduced side-by-side instruction with the Gippsland GA200 in 2001 and later incorporated the dual-seat Air Tractor 504 in 2012, helping to set a new standard for turbine transition training.
Beyond his company, de Kock has made a lasting international impact through his work with the Canadian Aerial Applicators Association (CAAA), NAAA, and NAAREF. He has led safety seminars, appeared in training videos, PAASS videos, and taught on critical topics such as wire strike avoidance, emergency procedures, and stall recognition, always emphasizing his core mission of bringing pilots home safely to their families. At the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo, de Kock led the Turning an Ag Plane Safely course; he will teach a shorter version at this year’s Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Still active as a certified flight instructor, de Kock continues mentoring the next generation of agricultural aviators. de Kock was awarded the NAAA William O. Marsh Safety Award in 2020, which recognizes significant achievements in safety, safety education or an outstanding operational safety program. His Hall of Fame induction honors a career defined by safety, service, and an enduring commitment to excellence in ag aviation. He will be honored at the Ag Aviation Expo’s Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Savannah, GA. Registration will open in July. To read the full article in Ag Air Update, click here.
Yes, It’s Us Trying to Reach You – Please Respond!
Over the last several weeks, NAAA’s ag aviation industry survey has been open for both operators and pilots to complete by providing confidential and important information we need to register pesticides for aerial use and multiple other uses.
NAAA has partnered with Kynetec, an agricultural survey and data analysis company used by EPA, USDA, and numerous agribusinesses, to conduct the survey. If you’re an ag operator or pilot and you’re wondering who’s been trying to get a hold of you to take a survey, it’s Kynetec on behalf of NAAA. Kynetec began with emails, and if you haven’t followed up by completing the survey, they’ve now started calling you. It’s not a telemarketer trying to sell you something – it’s an invitation to actively participate in the promotion of what you do for a living.
NAAA understands if this is overkill, but we need your information. And you may not realize it, but you need us to have your information.
NAAA’s mission is to promote the ag aviation industry, and the results of the survey we’re asking you to take are what we use to accomplish that mission. Every document we send to the EPA, FAA, and other regulatory agencies uses facts taken directly from the survey results. The only reason these agencies (and Congress) know we’re a critical industry, and they need to listen to our concerns, is because we can prove our importance. So, when you see that email or hear the phone ringing, remember why we’re so desperate to get a hold of you.
Check Out FAA’s FAASTeam Webinar on Drone Registration Held Last Week on Registration Requirements for Drones Used Under Section 44807 Exemptions and Part 137 Operations
Last week the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) presented a webinar on drone registration emphasizing that FAA registration is required for all drones used in Section 44807 exemptions and Part 137 operations. The webinar went over required registrations to help operators ensure compliance ahead of the 2026 spray season. To review the webinar click here.
All past FAAST drone safety webinars are housed here.
Save the Date: 2026 Ag Aviation Expo Set for Nov. 16–18 in Savannah, GA
The NAAA is excited to announce that the 2026 Ag Aviation Expo will take place Nov. 16–18, 2026, at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, GA. Select meetings and events will also be held at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, located directly adjacent to the convention center.
With its cobblestone streets, historic squares, riverfront energy, and welcoming spirit, Savannah offers an ideal backdrop for connection and inspiration. This year’s Expo feels like a homecoming – one that arrives at the perfect moment, following a demanding season and ahead of the opportunities that lie ahead.
While Savannah invites exploration at every turn, the true focus of the week remains inside the Ag Aviation Expo. The convention delivers the education, CEUs, safety programming and industry insight that operators, pilots, and allied businesses rely on to stay current. From timely regulatory updates to forward-looking discussions shaping the future of agricultural aviation, the educational sessions are designed to provide practical value that extends well beyond the week in Savannah.
The annual Ag Aviation Expo is the premier gathering for aerial applicators, industry suppliers and supporters of agricultural aviation, offering networking, education, business development and a dynamic trade show floor featuring the latest products and services.
Schedule of Events
A preliminary schedule is available online and is subject to change. Attendees are encouraged to check the NAAA website regularly for updates as programming details are finalized.
Attendee Registration
Registration opens mid-July. Non-members are encouraged to join NAAA in advance to take advantage of deeply discounted convention registration rates. View Ag Aviation Expo attendee fees online.
Exhibitor Booth Sales
Large Booth Space: Booth space for aircraft displays, Diamond and Platinum sponsors, island exhibits and 10’x30’ or larger booths will be pre-sold from March through June. Companies planning to bring an aircraft or reserve a large booth should contact Lindsay Barber as soon as possible.
10×10 and 10×20 Booth Space: Sales for standard booth spaces will open July 9 at AgAviation.org. Allied members will be provided with further details in the coming months. Full booth payment is required at the time of purchase.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ag Aviation Expo are now available, with options to fit a wide range of budgets. Companies interested in securing a sponsorship—particularly those wishing to retain a previous year’s opportunity—should contact Lindsay Barber for more information. Details about available sponsorships can be viewed online.
Auction Donations
NAAA is now accepting donations for the 2026 Live and Silent Auctions, popular Expo events that help support the aerial application industry. Early commitments receive added visibility through promotion on the NAAA website and in association publications. Supporters interested in contributing an item can complete the details in the link above or email Amy May with any questions.
Hotel Accommodations
The hotel room block will open the week of March 16. Hotel room blocks will be coordinated through Visit Savannah, the Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Housing Office. Attendees are asked not to contact hotels directly and instead use the official reservation link and phone number, which will be available on the NAAA website. The NAAA room block includes the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, the Hyatt Regency Savannah and the Savannah Marriott Riverfront.
Complimentary Transportation & River Taxis
Getting around during the Expo is convenient and complimentary. The Savannah Belles Ferry provides free water transportation between the Hyatt, Marriott, convention center and Westin. Ferry rides take approximately 10-15 minutes, with continuous service during convention hours. A schedule will be available on-site. For those who prefer not to travel by water, free shuttle bus service will operate between the Marriott, Hyatt and the convention center throughout the event.
Save the date now for Nov. 16–18, 2026, and plan to join the agricultural aviation community in Savannah for another outstanding Ag Aviation Expo.
FAA GA Survey Underway – Please Participate if You Receive Invitation
The Federal Aviation Administration’s annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) is now underway, reporting on calendar year 2025. The GA Survey is the only source of information on the general aviation fleet and the number of hours flown. The GA survey is different than the Industry Survey being conducted by NAAA (see article in this eNewsletter) – participation in both is critical to documenting the importance and safety of ag aviation.
Data from the GA survey are used by governmental agencies and industry to
- compute safety metrics, such as fatal accident rates;
- understand the impact of the GA industry on jobs, economic output, and investments in aviation infrastructure;
- track the success of safety initiatives, including avionics recommendations;
- determine funding for infrastructure and service needs; and
- assess the impact of regulatory changes.
The FAA and the ag aviation industry need accurate data on a broad range of aircraft. Your participation is voluntary, but we need your help. We encourage everyone who is contacted to respond to the survey so that all aviation activity is represented. The initial postcard and email inviations have been sent to owners/operators of both single and multiple aircraft. Fleet owner/operators should expect the invitations to look different than in prior years, but be assured it’s the 2025 GA survey.
GA and Part 135 Activity Survey Basics
To provide more information about the survey, Tetra Tech, the independent research firm that has been conducting an annual survey for the FAA for 26 years, compiled this FAQ list.
Q: Are responses confidential?
Yes, the information will only be used for statistical purposes and will not be published or released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. Individually identifiable responses are never shared — not with the FAA, other government agencies, or any other organization.
Q: How are participants contacted?
Participants who are selected will receive an email or postcard invitation asking them to complete the survey online. Those who do not complete the survey online will receive a mail survey, which includes a postage-paid return envelope.
Q: Is it easy to complete the survey?
Yes! It only takes 10-15 minutes to complete the survey, which you can do online or on a survey form that will be mailed to you, along with a postage-paid return envelope. Or call Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797.
Q: I didn’t fly my aircraft in 2025. Do I still need to complete the survey?
Yes, please respond even if you did not fly your aircraft during 2025, sold it, or if the aircraft was damaged.
Q. Will I receive a survey form for each aircraft I own?
An abbreviated survey form is available for owners/operators of three or more aircraft. To obtain one, contact Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email [email protected].
Q. I did this last year. Why am I receiving the survey again?
Several groups of aircraft are surveyed every year to better understand the aviation activity of high-use groups, such as turbine aircraft, rotorcraft, newer aircraft, and Alaska-based aircraft.
Q. Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact Tetra Tech toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or email [email protected].
Q: How many aircraft are sampled annually?
More than 80,000, or about 30 percent of the population, but the sample includes smaller proportions of some aircraft. Participation across all types of aircraft is critical to success!
Q: Where can I find survey results from previous years?
Visit here.
In Case You Missed the Last NAAA eNewsletter
Click here to read the February 26, 2026 eNewsletter:
- Supreme Court Rules Against Trump’s Use of Tariffs According to One Statute; He Counters Using Another Statute
- 15,000 on Facebook—NAAA Social Media Momentum Continues to Grow!
- FAA Renews Guidance for Operator Certification Process – NAAA Assistance Requested for Part 137
- What Do Paraquat, Atrazine, Chlorpyrifos, Tribufos, Endothall, Isocycloseram, Gamma-cyhalothrin and Rotenone All Have in Common?
- Nominations Open for the 2026 NAAA Awards
- FAA GA Survey Underway – Please Participate if You Receive Invitation